At the center of the wilting city stood the nightmare tree Sin’drassil. Born of the blood of war and nightmare it stood as a monument to the tragedies of the past. A symbol to the growth of the future. As the citizens of Allamar began to start their day their three champions delved into the tree.

In the heart of Sin’drasil, at the epicenter of Allamar, was his sanctuary. Vines of black and red danced and welded to form walls and windows. Each snaking their way along the floor to meet and  grow upwards. This was their altar, the anchor and source of their great tree. This place was sacred ground.

“M’ Lord, da Amani call.” Mau was always on the charge, and wasted no time explaining the situation. “Dey want us ta ride with dem against da elves. Dey demand our tribute.” The rite was an ancient custom among the trolls. Many of the druids of the vein were trolls, this rite called on their ancestry. When a new Chief was named he would plant his banner in rival’s territories, the message simple. Join, or die.

A pair of rubies shown from the darkness behind the altar. Light reflecting off the bloodied obrs cast a chill down the collective’s spines. The response was coll and subtle like the first breeze of winter. “And what would you three have us do?”

“We fight!” Zo’kar’s retort was much like the man, blunt and unrelenting. “Da Amani want us ta join dem, den we should. Wit Atal’jin we could crush da Crimsons and secure Allamar.”

“We can’t be joining dem? I be Amani, dey will take from us, and use us like a cog. Da war machine knows no end.” Mau turned from his War Brother to their leader. “Lord, we can’t be trustin dem.”

“Bah, Mau would you radda ride unda da Emberlight? Da elves which hunt ya people? Da elves that assaulted ya home more den once already? Dey want our blood even more!”

“I hate to agree with Zo’kar, but he is right.” Sperro the last of the generals finally cut between the two trolls. The elven man shook his head pushing them apart.  “The Emberlight and most of Quel’thalas still sees us as monsters. Butchers that took the lives of half of this land. There can be no alliance with them.”

The Wargod was fed up with this debate. “Den its settled, if we wont join da Amani, or da elves, den we stand here.”  Slamming his fist against the altar or roots. “We protect our home, our people, Allamar!”

Finally moving from the depths of the shadows Tzaka’jin rose his hand, he did not want to hear them bicker any longer.. Stepping away from his throne he paced towards his council. Slinking from one man to another he eyed each in kind. The powerful Zanadalri War-God, the brutal Bear Captain, and the Returned Phoenix Soldier.

“Allamar is just a city, Sin’drassill is little more than wood. Atal’jin will come demanding his tribute. Demanding that we join him in his crusade. House Netherstar will do the same. Forcing us to honor an oath from another life.…. Zul’Aman, Quel'thalas. They are just land, names and claims of ownership change nothing.”

“I will not trade the fist of one tyrant for another. If we are not at the mercy of the Dawnbringer and his zealots, then it will be at the wrath of Atal’jin, or even the blade of the Emberlight…”

Taking another breath ruby eyes fell ont he wargod. “No Zo’kar is right, we must protect our people. The Amani are not our allies, nor are the Emberlight. But neither are they our enemies. Both will ask for our aid…” Shaking his head the druid he reflected on their current dilemma. Pausing for a moment as he searched for the best words. The best idea.

“...and none will get it.”

“Give the word, to every woman, man, child. Pack your things, bring only what you can carry. We leave this place tonight. Head for the mountains. If they want this pile of rocks and memories its theirs. But they won’t use my clan for their wars, or their pyres.”

Resolve tightened he turned back to the trio. Seeing his three generals calmed the druid, it softened his expression and mind. “We have much to prepare. This was the first of Atal’jin’s envoys. It won't be the last. If we linger he will force our hand.” everything was colder now, tones, thoughts, even the air. Turning back to the dias Tzaka’jin twisted his finger above the altar.

Spiraling roots sprung to meet his grasp. Opening his palm the vines arched upwards before blooming into a small flower. Red pedals blossomed as if to greet the man.

“I did not survive the last winter... My life was stolen in war. I will not push my people into another one. Mau, locate a route, the quickest into the mountains. Take the bears. Take our druids. Take anything you need.”

The fur clad Knight slapped his hand to his painted chest. His orders were clear.

“Sperro, relay the message. Speak to them all, let everyone know we leave at sundown. We cannot afford any more time then that.”

Giving a deep bow the risen elf agreed.

“And Zo’kar, my Wargod stay with me for a moment.”

The final order given the trio’s mission was clear. Rising in unison two of the party left. Leaving just one figure alone with the Archdruid.

The Zandalari’s face twisted. “What can I do for ya my lord?”

Tzaka’jin’s hand rose to breeze against the petals of the red flower. “Zo’kar, My most loyal general. I have special orders for you.”  Red eyes falling onto the flower his lips curled into a smile. “You were key in my return, you brought me back from the Nightmare, from the dead. You never questioned me. Before.”

“I will be taking my clan into the mountains tonight. Those that wish to stay will have my blessing, and my banishment. I will not pull those that wish to return to their family from them, let them make their fate.” Gripping the base of the flower he twisted it upwards. Exposing the petals to the light. “Family is something I learned a lot about when I was away.”

“I saw my sister again, I saw her child born.” squeezing the stem he slowly twirled the flower. “I saw death take them. Its cruel to outlive those you love.”

“Jin, m’ Lord?”

“Do you still want to fight, to make our stand against Atal’jin, and the others?”

Slamming his hand against the golden beads on his chest. “Jin’Tzaka, I’d hunt down their envoy and pike his head on da gates.”

“I figured you would say as much. So here are my orders. When we leave, when I take my clan, you, my Wargod, will stay.”

Terror ran down the trolls spine. Eyes wide he pushed forward grabbing onto the altar. “YOU CAN’T DO THAT! I’ve lost everything too. Ma mate, ma son, ma daughter. Not you to Tzaka, Please, don’t leave me behind!”

Another frozen breeze howled between them. “Zo’kar.”

Plucking the flower the Archdruid brought it up to his face. The petals darkened. Separated from the tree they began to wilt. Linking eyes they both paused.. “To my people, to we the exiled from our clans. We are branded, the Unwelcomed. Forced from our families, from our loved ones because of our actions.”

“I have learned though, that what is sacred is what we call it. Words have little meaning other than to try and tame the world. We the Druids of the Vein have been exiled from our clans, our families abandoned us. so we will form our own. From this land, this flower, we will blossom.” As the petals fell away they exposed feathered seeds. Face faltering for a moment Tzaka’jin exhaled.

The seeds wafted from the now dead flower. Floating on the air before hitting Zo’kar in the face. With that the room began to spin. The Wargod’s legs crumbled as the earth fell away.

“... I will give you this final gift. When you wake up, you will be with your family.” The edges of the Zanadalri’s vison blacked as he struggled to stay on two feet. “They have been waiting for you in the House of Memories. In the space between here and death.”

“Go to your family Zo’kar. For if you return to this realm, to this place. We will alreadyl be gone.” The world faded away and with a thud the Zanadalri fell to the ground.

“And when you see them, give the Speaker and the Soldier my regards.”

@thesunguardmg